They were accompanied by supporters from Moral Monday, Freedom University and several other local organizations.

The protest was organized as an act of opposition to the policy that prohibits undocumented students from applying to the top five universities in the state of Georgia (notably the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia State). It also has an impact on those students who were granted “legal presence” under a federal policy known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

“This policy has segregated all universities and taken us back to a time when African-Americans were banned from those same institutions,” said Eduardo Samaniego, member of a pro-immigrant coalition known as the Georgia Dreamers Alliance.

“65,000 undocumented students across the state are banned. We can count them, but not their broken dreams — when there is no justice, there will be no peace,” he said.

Six protestors carried signs inside the Board of Regents meeting to demonstrate their disapproval of the policy, and stood up one-by-one interrupting the meeting shortly before it was adjourned. They were escorted out by local police and some partook in blocking a nearby street demanding the Board of Regents (BOR) to rescind its policy.

“I just saw my brother getting arrested,” she said, crying. “It’s time to take action and we’re here to make an action. I’m going to fight for what’s right,” she said.

By her side, Erik Velazquez, a recent high school graduate, shared the story of how his younger brother sees him banned from college, with a high school diploma but scarce resources to continue his education.

“My brother tells me: ‘I’ll go to college for you. I’ll be a legislator. I’ll change things for you,’” he told a crowd of 60 nearby supporters.

Mitzy Calderon, like Velazquez, is an undocumented student who does not understand how Deferred Action can allow her to work and drive, but not attend the top five universities within the state. Her only choice in attending a non-top five would mean she would have to pay three times the cost of in-state tuition, which in her situation is seemingly impossible.

“Why am I allowed to work at Cracker Barrel but not allowed to go to UGA?” she asked.

The rally went on, and the crowd continued chanting to the rhythm of ‘undocumented and unafraid.’

Mitzy did so too, confident of what the future laid forth to all of those in her situation. “We will win,” she said. “We will win.”